DeKalb, IL— Construction at the Hopkins Park Community Center and Pool continues to make steady progress. Hopkins Park Pool is currently projected for completion in mid-August. During construction, crews have encountered nearly 100 years of existing infrastructure at the site. Additional challenges have included updated design standards, state permitting requirements, and, most recently, weather-related delays. Despite these factors, the District remains committed to opening the pool as promptly as possible.
DeKalb Park District Executive Director Paul Zepezauer stated, “Everyone involved in this project is working diligently to complete it as efficiently and responsibly as possible. This is a complex undertaking that has presented many challenges along the way. Since the Board of Commissioners approved the concept plan in September 2024, both staff and the Board have taken every reasonable step to advance the project in a timely and responsible manner. The process of developing construction documents, bidding the project, and awarding contracts requires careful coordination and time. While certain phases were completed concurrently, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) permitting process alone required approximately 10 months. Without the IDPH permit, there could be no underground excavating for any of the pool foundation. This timeline made favorable winter and spring weather especially important; however, we experienced eight weeks of deep frost beginning in January, followed by a notably wet spring. We are hopeful that favorable conditions in the coming months will allow us to recover some lost time and maximize the number of operating days this season. If weather and staffing conditions permit, we may also consider extending the pool’s operating season beyond its typical schedule.”
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